In 1974, oil magnate J. Paul Getty opened a museum of his artistic holdings in a faux villa in Pacific Palisades, based on the remains of the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, Italy. Derision from critics and ridicule from art experts followed, but no matter—the Getty grew into a beloved local attraction. In 1997, the decorative arts and paintings were moved to the Getty Center, and the villa was closed for conversion into a museum for Getty’s collection of Mediterranean antiquities. When it reopened in 2006, part-restored and part-transformed by architects Jorge Silvetti and Rodolfo Machado, the press was rather kinder.
There are roughly 1,200 artifacts on display at any one time, dated between 6,500 BC and 500 AD and organized under such themes as the Hellenistic World and the Classical World in Context. You could easily spend a few hours idly wandering through the galleries, but some exhibits really stand out, including a wall-mounted frieze that maps different ancient civilizations along with the art and statuary they created. Look for an amazing Greek perfume container that dates back to around 400 BC: It’s incredibly elegant and, despite its age, entirely intact.
Other highlights include a 2,500-year-old monumental statue of Aphrodite in limestone and marble, delicate painted oil jars and an outlandish, stag-spouted drinking horn. Head to the Temple of Hercules to see a 1,900-year-old statue of Herakles, a real alpha-male figure that reputedly inspired Getty to build the museum in the design of a Roman villa. The property also holds conservation laboratories, seminar rooms and a research library, plus temporary exhibitions. Each fall, the Getty Villa hosts a reimagined classical Greek play in its outdoor amphitheater.
After a five-and-a-half-month closure due to the Palisades Fire, the Getty Villa reopened in summer 2025 after extensive cleanup efforts. Luckily the buildings and artwork were untouched by the blaze, but the surrounding landscape was affected—44 percent of the Villa’s forest had to be removed due to fire damage. Nevertheless, the grounds are still beautiful, with gardens, courtyards and an outer peristyle that boasts views of the Pacific.
Note that you’ll need to book a (free) timed ticket in order to visit the museum; walk-ins aren’t accepted. At peak times, be sure to book well in advance. If you want to beat the crowds, try to get an early-morning time slot.
